Disney 101~Part 3 Special Events

Welcome back to Disney 101!! If you missed part 1 or part 2 be sure to check them out.  Also, before you begin the courses be sure to click here to see the course requirements and outline.

The holidays are always a special time of year.  Of course Walt Disney World finds a way to make it even more magical!  The holiday season begins the day after Thanksgiving and lasts through New Year’s Day and a little beyond.  Each park is decked with decorations that fit the theme of each land.  The resorts also join in the festivities with mammoth-size Christmas trees.  One special note about holiday travel – the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest of they year.  Parks fill quickly and will stop admitting guests once at capacity!  Sleeping in is not an option during this week!

Very Merry Christmas Party

The party is held at the park in the evening and offers a special showing of Holiday Wishes fireworks, an evening production of the Christmas parade, special meet and greets and dance parties with characters, holiday treats and real snow falling on Main Street.

The Bottom Line

Time frame of event:  This ticketed event is scheduled on certain nights starting in mid-November through December 21 (2012 dates).  Parties begin at 7 pm on scheduled nights.

Cost: Prices range from $53.95 – $67.95.  There are many factors involved in determining this price.  Purchasing tickets ahead of time will be cheaper than waiting until the night of.  Week night parties are less expensive than Friday night events.  The last party before Christmas is generally the most expensive night.  The party is the same regardless of what night you attend.

Crowds:  This event gets crowded.  Party goers get complimentary sugar cookies and hot cocoa.  The lines for these items are incredibly long.  Like the Halloween party, attending during the week is better crowd-wise than the weekend when locals might be attending.

Weather:

November:  Average temperature:  high 79′ low 58′ rainfall 2.3″

December: Average temperature: high 73′ low 51′ rainfall 2.2″

Note that in December, after the sun goes down, it can get chilly out.  Layered dressing works best as during the midday you can get warm.

Quality:  For this Guru, The Very Merry Christmas Party is enjoyable but doesn’t offer enough “extras” to warrant such a hefty price tag.  Holiday Wishes is a great fireworks show but the long lines for snacks and lack of other special things to do make this party a bust.

Tips:   If you are traveling to Disney World during the months of November-December  you should know that Magic Kingdom closes at 7:00 PM to the general public the nights that this event is held.  If you do not hold a ticket to this event, you will be asked to leave. Wishes Fireworks will not be held on party nights.  If you hold a ticket to this event you can enter Magic Kingdom at 4:00 PM the night your ticket is valid.

EPCOT – Holidays Around the World

EPCOT offers a worldly view of the holidays.  Storytellers in each country around World Showcase perform for guests explaining their cultural traditions.  The American Gardens Theatre is home to the Candlelight Processional.  A beautiful retelling of the Christmas Story by celebrity narrators.  Illuminations also has a special Peace on Earth Finale.  All of these events are included with regular ticket admission.

The Bottom Line

World Showcase is even more special during the holidays.  Families get an up close look at how the holidays are celebrated in each country.  Candlelight Processional is narrated by celebrities.  It’s a classic retelling of the Christmas Story.  Cast members and school choirs make up the large chorus singing classic holiday carols.  Illuminations Peace on Earth Finale is an amazing display of fireworks and song.

Time frame of event:  Consult the EPCOT Times Guide for exact times of Storyteller presentations.  Candlelight Processional is held on specific dates with show times at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15.  These are popular performances so lines form EARLY.  Illuminations is performed nightly at 9 pm.

Cost:  All of these special events have no extra cost.  If you require preferred seating for a Candlelight Processional, there is a dining package available.

Crowd:  Candlelight processional gets crowded.  If you want assured seats, you might opt for the dining package.  However, the theatre is open air so you can stand outside the seating area.  The rest of World Showcase is usual crowd levels.

Weather:

November:  Average temperature:  high 79′ low 58′ rainfall 2.3″

December: Average temperature: high 73′ low 51′ rainfall 2.2″

Note that in December, after the sun goes down, it can get chilly out.  Layered dressing works best as during the midday you can get warm.

Quality:  These holiday events are a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays.  It’s another layer of enjoyment of World Showcase.

Tips: Take the time to see the Storytellers and stop to get your photo with Santa and Mr. Claus in the American Adventure.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Hollywood Studios provides a night time spectacle of lights like none other.  An Arkansas man named Jennings Osborne started decorating his yard with holiday lights for his daughter each Christmas season. In 1995, he brought his elaborate display of millions of lights to WDW.  Each night, the Streets of America come alive with lights, displays and music.

The Bottom Line

The Osborne lights are a must see attraction while visiting the parks.  As the sun goes down, the lights go on.  Holiday music streams as the lights “dance” in time.  “Snow” falls gently as guests walk along New York Street.  A huge canopy of lights covers one of the side streets.  Love looking for Hidden Mickeys?  See how many you can find made out of rope lights throughout the area.  Decorating begins in October of each year to be ready!

Time Frame of event:  The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights begins nightly during the holiday season at dusk (generally between 6:00-6:30).  The lights continue until closing.  Every 10 minutes or so the “dancing” presentation is held.

Cost: There is no extra cost to see the lights.  You only need your regular park admission.

Crowd: This area of the park does get crowded, but not wall to wall people.

Weather:

November:  Average temperature:  high 79′ low 58′ rainfall 2.3″

December: Average temperature: high 73′ low 51′ rainfall 2.2″

Note that in December, after the sun goes down, it can get chilly out.  Layered dressing works best as during the midday you can get warm.

Quality:  For a free event, this is a must see while visiting the parks.  It’s amazing to see and then to think that all of this was in a man’s front yard!

Tips:  Allow one night per park to experience the evening holiday events.  For Osborne Lights, you can arrive near the end of the night and still be able to enjoy the performances.  You might spend up to an hour here if your children are in love with the music and lights.

Resort Decor

When the Dis Savvy family visits WDW during the holiday season, attractions take a back seat.  If we go on rides, it’s a bonus.  We take time to see the holiday events and decorations all over the world.

Bottom Line:  Take time to visit the resorts during the holidays.  You won’t be disappointed.  Resorts like Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge have some beautiful (and TALL) Christmas trees in the lobbies.

The Grand Floridian also has a full size Gingerbread House – completely edible – that sells yummy treats!

Enjoying the holidays in Walt Disney World is a truly magical experience!  Plan ahead to experience these amazing events and you will truly have a Merry Christmas!